Author Topic: Getting acquainted with a LED panel for portraits  (Read 4362 times)

Olivier

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Getting acquainted with a LED panel for portraits
« on: October 25, 2016, 22:19:34 »
I purchaised a 60x60cm cheap LED panel that looks exactly like a whiteboard. And when connected to the electric network, it looks like a sunny window...
I tried it last weekend with a few patient kids. I can put it quite close without having them complain it is too bright, and yet I get enough light to control DOF and prevent motion blur, with decent ISO settings. So far so good.


Jakov Minić

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Re: Getting acquainted with a LED panel for portraits
« Reply #1 on: October 25, 2016, 22:27:56 »
The light from the side in the third ones works best. It looks natural as if it came from a window.
Needless to that the kids are adorable :)
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Anthony

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Re: Getting acquainted with a LED panel for portraits
« Reply #2 on: October 26, 2016, 00:52:31 »
Lovely photos, and well done for getting the kids to collaborate - or maybe they are naturals.
Anthony Macaulay

pluton

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Re: Getting acquainted with a LED panel for portraits
« Reply #3 on: October 26, 2016, 03:11:37 »
The unit you have used provides illumination that is a 'dead ringer' for window light.  Results look good.
  Which panel did you acquire? How does the color appear to your eye?  Daylight blueish or tungsten warm?  The color spectrum of LED lights can be a touch funkadelic.
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armando_m

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Re: Getting acquainted with a LED panel for portraits
« Reply #4 on: October 26, 2016, 04:58:39 »
 I lie the higher contrast of #3
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Airy

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Re: Getting acquainted with a LED panel for portraits
« Reply #5 on: October 26, 2016, 08:04:16 »
If these are "experimental" shots, congrats then, and I'm eagerly waiting for the final ones.  It seems that you just removed what was the first shot. One minor remark though : the second one (that becomes the first) is very good as far as light is concerned, but DOF is too shallow I think, the blurred "other eye" disturbs me.

I am also interested in knowing more about the equipment.

Edit : ah, the first pic is back. It might have been an issue with my internet connection on board the train.
Airy Magnien

Erik Lund

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Re: Getting acquainted with a LED panel for portraits
« Reply #6 on: October 26, 2016, 08:21:40 »
Looks very good, almost like the real window light!

The new LED panels I have seen all have fully adjustable WB,,,

The second image has a strange cheek line along the edge of the face, also the right hand looks strange,,,,

Problem for me with constant light panel are small pupils in the eyes as opposed to a flash (without model light or the model light turned down) People tend to look much more friendly with normal, larger pupil size.
Erik Lund

Frank Fremerey

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Re: Getting acquainted with a LED panel for portraits
« Reply #7 on: October 26, 2016, 14:27:02 »
I feel focussing in the third pic was most successful, that is why it stands out.

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Akira

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Re: Getting acquainted with a LED panel for portraits
« Reply #8 on: October 26, 2016, 14:56:51 »
I'm not familiar with the technical aspects to comment on in terms of the portrait shooting of this kind.  All look nice to me.  The facial expressions of all images makes them timeless and priceless...
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PedroS

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Re: Getting acquainted with a LED panel for portraits
« Reply #9 on: October 26, 2016, 15:30:09 »
Light wise I prefer the 3rd one
Portrait wise the 2nd

Great photos, and wonder also what was the equipment and color temp.

Thanks for sharing

elsa hoffmann

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Re: Getting acquainted with a LED panel for portraits
« Reply #10 on: October 26, 2016, 18:50:13 »
well everyone likes the third one so I will swim with the team.  ;D ;D

size of LED? photo please?
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Olivier

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Re: Getting acquainted with a LED panel for portraits
« Reply #11 on: October 26, 2016, 20:22:43 »
Thanks everyone.
I don't even know the reference! It is a China-made, brandless board... I bought it at a home improvement store, it was initially meant to be installed in our new bathroom... Until I thought it would make a great softbox.
It was described in the shop as "neutral white", temperature is 4000K and is not adjustable. The panel costs 59€. There were other panels in the shop, more expensive, with either a blueish tint (cold white) or a yellowish tint (warm white), but I preferred the neutral white.
It really looks like a white board, not like an array of small leds. see the two pictures attached (off and on, obviously...). The "on" image doesn't do justice to the panel, it is actually much more luminous than it looks. The total light emited by the device is supposed to be 3100 lumen, the dimension is 60x60cm. There were other models, some quite larger (can't remember exactly, but close to 50x100cm).
I need to work on a stand in order to handle it more easily, right now it is just a white board.

I agree with Erik about the pupil size, it is one drawback of continuous lighting but I think the effect is not too pronounced here.

elsa hoffmann

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Re: Getting acquainted with a LED panel for portraits
« Reply #12 on: October 26, 2016, 21:33:49 »
So it's actually meant to be a light for a room then?
Well done - price is rather cheap too (in my opinion)
I want one :)
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Olivier

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Re: Getting acquainted with a LED panel for portraits
« Reply #13 on: October 26, 2016, 21:41:32 »
You are welcome to pick one here, and we have a spare room in the house in case you want to enjoy autumn in Paris!

elsa hoffmann

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Re: Getting acquainted with a LED panel for portraits
« Reply #14 on: October 26, 2016, 21:58:43 »
You are welcome to pick one here, and we have a spare room in the house in case you want to enjoy autumn in Paris!

hahaha thank you Olivier  - geez for a moment there I thought you would want me to pick a child! PASS!
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